Lunar New Year – Sydney’s Top Spots

Lunar New Year, one of our largest annual traditions centralising around Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean celebrations is just around the corner for one of it’s biggest years yet. Sydney’s official festival program has over 80 events ranging from food, culture, art, and sport. We’re here to help you find Sydney’s top spots for your Lunar New Year partying.

The Rocks Lunar Markets

The Rocks’ famous markets are getting a Lunar New Year makeover for the entire 10 days. Stretching down from George Street, Across Playfair Street and Jack Mundey Place are markets selling clothing, artisan goods, art, jewellery etc. This year they’ll be ramping it up with an additional 30 stalls set up in celebration of the Lunar New Year until 10 pm each night. Traditional lion dancers will also be dancing their way through the markets every afternoon.

If your craving some authentic cuisine The Rocks Lunar Markets will be providing a delicious spread. Some of which include Mr. Bao’s steamed buns and Taiwanese street food, Merry Pops special lychee and green tea ice cream bars, and Let’s Do Yum Cha’s range of Chinese meals.

Dragon Boat Racing – Cockle Bay Wharf

One of the Lunar New Year’s most famous events returns for one of it’s biggest years yet! Cockle Bay Wharf’s Dragon Boat Racing includes thousands of paddlers competing in over 100 races every 10 minutes. Each boat carries 22 rowers and a drummer to lead its team with a solid beat.

The annual dragon boat racing is truly a sight to see. The beautiful 12-metre boats are each carved with a dragon head and tail and have colourful scales painted down each side. The race officially starts by painting the dotting the dragons eye symbolising the awakening of the dragon for the race.

Year of the Pig Festival – Chatswood

Chatswood is putting on a three-week festival welcoming in the Year of the Pig celebrating Asian culture with huge markets, parades, food and art tours.

From Tuesday (Jan 29th) through to Friday (Feb 8th) Chatswood Mall will transform into the “Golden Market” – a replica end-of-year market found in cities across Asia where customers traditionally buy new clothes and products in celebration of the New Year. There will be stalls offering amazing food, clothing, toys, trinkets, flowers and much more.

If your looking for a more food-based approach Taste of Asia Food Tours should definitely be your next stop. Focusing on the exotic, spicy dishes from around Asia this group will take you on a culinary journey with dishes from the Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and much more.

On its final night, The Lunar New Year Twilight Parade will finish off the celebrations on Feb 16th with a traditional Chinese street parade. Including a colourful array of floats and characters parading down Chatswood Interchange to the bottom of Anderson Street.